MYSTERY surrounds who is responsible for an historic bridge in Worcester that is crumbling and falling into the River Severn.

Janet White contacted the Evening News worried that Bevere Bridge, which links the shore to a small island a short way upstream from Bevere Lock, is in a bad state of repair - but that no one was able to give her any advice on its maintenance.

"In the course of my investigations, I was even told it may have been built by Thomas Telford, but it appears it may now be in private ownership and no one seems to know any more about it," the art and embroidery teacher from Kidderminster said.

Apart from safety fears, Janet also believes that if it is allowed to collapse, it will mean an important part of the county's archaeological history is lost.

Even River Severn expert Chris Witts, who has written five books about the river including A Century of Bridges, said he had always hit a dead end when carrying out research into Bevere Bridge.

"It is falling in to the river and there is ivy growing out of the masonry causing the stonework to break and the ironwork to fracture," he said.

"A hole that is visible on the bridge is fascinating, you can see the way the road has been built with the tarred planks, like railway sleepers slotted in to guide rails inide the cast iron structure.

"I would like to know if this bridge is to be saved before it collapses."

The Evening News contacted both British Waterways and the bridge manager at Worcestershire County Council and both confirmed they were not responsible for it and did not know who was.

Do you know who is responsible for Bevere Bridge? If so, please write to The Evening News, Berrows House, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.